Michaels cuebid

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This article concerns Contract Bridge and uses terminology associated with the game. See Contract bridge glossary for an explanation of unfamiliar words or phrases.

A Michaels cuebid is a conventional overcall which shows a two-suited hand. It was first devised by Mike Michaels.

The requirement for a Michaels cuebid is a two-suited hand with at least 5 cards in each suit and typically 8-16 high-card points (HCP). Point counts vary, but it is commonly agreed that a Michaels cuebid is constructive and should be made on hands that hold the prospect of winning the bidding. When made on very weak hands, chances are the opponents win that bidding whilst being warned about the unbalanced holding of the Michaels bidder. Given that the Michaels cuebid is forcing, some partnerships apply no upper limit to its high card strength.

To use the convention, when the opponents make a one level opening, bid the same suit at the two level. There are two normal cases where this bid can be applied. Over an opponent's minor opening a cuebid shows both majors. For example, 1♣-2♣ shows hearts and spades. Over an opponent's major opening a cuebid shows the other major and a minor suit. For example, 1♠-2♠ shows hearts and either clubs or diamonds. Partner can make a 2NT relay bid to find out what the minor suit is.

Partnerships who have incorporated Michaels cuebid amongst their agreements, usually also play the unusual notrump convention.

As opposed to Ghestem, the 3♣ jump overcall is available as a natural bid. However, Ghestem is more precise in terms of the specific suits denoted.

[edit] Modifications

Several modifications and extensions exist, such as the Modified Michaels cuebid, Leaping Michaels and Super Michaels.

In the Netherlands, a particular modification is growing in popularity: over an opponent's minor opening a cuebid shows the other minor and an unspecified major suit, and 2NT shows both majors. Over an opponent's major suit a cuebid shows the other major and an unspecified minor suit in combination with the unusual notrump. This approach allows all three two suiters in the tree unbid suits to be indicated. Disadvantage compared to standard Michaels is that after an opposing minor suit opening one can not introduce a two suiter in the majors at two-level.

A variant often referred to as upper cuebid is popular in Germany. In this treatment a cuebid shows the highest unbid suit and another unspecified suit. Together with the unusual notrump convention to indicate the lowest of the two unbid suits, this approach allows all two suiters in the three unbid suits to be indicated. Disadvantage compared to Michaels is that after an opposing minor suit opening one can not in one single bid describe a two suiter in the majors.